
must remain open, close all windows. Adjust the
heating or cooling system to force outside air into the
vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside the
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Safety belt assemblies must be replaced after a collision if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or retractor
condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to
8 seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the bulb is not lit
during starting, have it replaced. If the light stays on or
comes on while driving, have the system checked by an
authorized dealer.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes are
present, the cause should be corrected immediately.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 43
2

CONVERTIBLE TOP OPERATION
WARNING!
The convertible top does not provide the structural
protection that a reinforced metal roof does, and the
fabric top cannot be expected to prevent the ejection
of the occupants of a vehicle in a collision. Therefore
it is important that all occupants wear their seat belts
at all times when riding in a convertible. Studies
have shown that it is generally safer to remain inside
a vehicle during a collision, than to be ejected from
the vehicle.
NOTE:The top and top storage area should be thor-
oughly dry before lowering the top.
To Lower The Top:
NOTE:
To avoid damage to the convertible top or its
components, your vehicle is equipped with a feature that
prevents convertible top operation at speeds over 10 mph
(16 km/h).
CAUTION!
To fully insure that no damage occurs, be sure that
the vehicle is at a complete stop with the gear
selector in the Park position before lowering or
raising the top.
1. To avoid damage to either the top or the rear window,
check the top storage area at the rear of the vehicle
interior to be sure that it is clear of debris or other items.
Be sure that child seat flip up bars are lowered. Do not
use the top storage area for other storage purposes.
2. Turn the ignition key to the On position.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 47
3

To Raise The Top:
CAUTION!
To insure no damage occurs to the visors, they
should be rotated to the forward (against glass)
position prior to raising or lowering the convertible
top.
NOTE:To avoid damage to the convertible top or its
components, your vehicle is equipped with a feature that
prevents convertible top operation at speeds over 10 mph
(16 km/h).
NOTE:If the power convertible top system fails, raise
the top by manually pulling the top until it meets the
windshield and open both front latch handles. Pull the
top until the two pins are seated in the windshield
header. Using the center pull cup, pull down and hook
each latch hook to its striker. Latch both sides. This may
require a considerable amount of physical effort.
CAUTION!
To fully insure that no damage occurs, be sure that
the vehicle is at a complete stop with the gear
selector in the Park position before lowering or
raising the top.
1. Remove the top cover and store it in the trunk.
2. Turn the ignition to the ON position.
3.
Press the Power Top Switch to raise the top. Before the
top reaches the windshield, open both front latch handles.
Press the switch again to continue raising the top until the
two pins seat themselves in the windshield header.
4. Use the center pull cup to pull down on the header.
Hook each latch hook to its striker. Latch both sides.
CAUTION!
Car top carriers, ski racks, etc., should not be at-
tached to the convertible top mechanism as they will
damage the top.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 49
3

Multi-Function Control Lever
The Multi-Function lever controls the operation of the
headlights, turn signals, headlight beam select switch,
instrument panel light dimming, passing light, dome
light, and fog lights.
Headlights, Parking Lights, Instrument Panel
Lights
Turn the end of the control lever to the first detent for
parking light operation. Turn to the second detent for
headlight operation.To change the brightness of the instrument panel lights,
turn the center portion of the lever up or down. Turning
the dimmer control to the full up position also turns on
the courtesy lights. Turning the dimmer control to the full
down position prevents the courtesy lights from coming
on when a door is opened.
Daytime Running Lights (Canada Only)
The headlights come on at a low intensity level whenever
the ignition switch is turned on. The lights remain on
66 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

until the ignition switch is turned OFF or the parking
brake is engaged. The headlight switch must be used for
normal night time driving.
Lights-on Reminder
If the headlights or parking lights are on after the ignition
is turned off, a chime will sound when the driver's door
is opened.
Fog Lights Ð If Equipped
The fog light switch is in the multi-function lever.
To activate the fog lights, turn on the low beam
headlights and pull out the end of the control
lever. A light in the instrument cluster shows when the
fog lights are on.
NOTE:The switch will turn on the fog lights only if the
low beam headlights are on. Turning on the high beam
headlights turns off the fog lights.
Turn Signals
Move the turn signal lever up or down and the arrows in
the instrument cluster flash to show proper operation of
the front and rear turn signal lights. You can signal a lane
change by moving the lever partially up or down.
Headlight Beam Select Switch
Pull the turn signal lever towards you to switch the
headlights to HIGH beam. Pull the turn signal lever a
second time to switch the headlights to LOW beam.
Passing Light
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
lightly pulling the turn signal lever toward the steering
wheel. This will cause the headlights to turn on at high
beam and remain on until the lever is released.
Headlight Time Delay
This feature provides the safety of headlight illumination
for about 90 seconds when leaving your vehicle in an
unlighted area.
To activate the delay, turn off the ignition while the
headlights are still on. Then turn off the headlights. The
delay interval begins when the ignition is turned off.
If the headlights are turned off before the ignition, they
will go off in the normal manner.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 67
3

TRACTION CONTROLÐ IF EQUIPPED
To turn the Traction Control System Off, press
the switch located on the top of the steering
column, to the right of the hazard switch, until
the Traction Control indicator in the instrument
cluster lights up.
To turn the Traction Control System On, press the switch
until the Traction Control indicator in the instrument
cluster turns off.
NOTE:The Traction Control System is enabled each
time the ignition switch is turned On. This will occureven if you used the switch to turn the system off before
powering down or turning the ignition to Lock.
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROLÐ IF EQUIPPED
When engaged, this device will control the throttle op-
eration to maintain a constant vehicle speed between 30
mph (48 km/h) and 85 mph (137 km/h). The controls are
on the steering wheel.
70 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To Activate:
Press the ON/OFF switch to turn the speed control
system ON. To turn the system OFF, press the ON/OFF
switch again. The system should be turned OFF when not
in use. The CRUISE Indicator in the instrument cluster
will light up when the Speed Control is ON.
NOTE:You must press the ON button to activate the
system each time the engine is started.
WARNING!
Leaving the Electronic Speed Control system ON
when not in use is dangerous. You could accidentally
set the system or cause it to go faster than you want.
You could lose control and have an accident. Always
leave the system OFF when you aren't using it.
To Set At A Desired Speed:
When the vehicle has reached the desired speed and the
system is ON, press and release the SET button. Release
the accelerator and the vehicle will operate at the selected
speed. The speed control is now Engaged.
To Deactivate:
A soft tap on the brake pedal, pushing the CANCEL
button, or normal brake or clutch pressure will deactivate
speed control without erasing the memory. Pushing the
ON/OFF button or turning off the ignition turns the
speed control system off and erases the memory.
To Resume Speed:
To resume a previously set speed, push and release the
RESUME/ACCEL button. Resume can be used at any
speed above 25 mph (40 km/h).
To Vary The Speed Setting:
When the speed control is Engaged (actively controlling
to a SET speed), speed can be increased by pressing and
holding the RESUME/ACCEL button. When the button
is released, a new set speed will be established.
Tapping the RESUME/ACCEL button once will result in
a 2 mph (3 km/h) increase in the SET speed. Each time
the button is tapped, the SET speed increases. For ex-
ample tapping the button three times will increase speed
by 6 mph (10 km/h), etc.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 71
3

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION
1. Fuel Gauge
When the ignition key is in the ON position, the
pointer will show the level of fuel remaining in
the fuel tank.
2. Traction Control Ð If Equipped
This display indicator illuminates momentarily
as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. The indicator will blink during an
active traction event, but will remain solid when the
system is deactivated or if a system malfunction occurs.
The Traction Control indicator will turn ON if:
²The Traction Control system is in use.
²The Traction Control switch has been used to turn
the system OFF.
²There is an Anti-Lock Brake system malfunction or
Traction Control system malfunction.
²The system has been deactivated to prevent damage
to the brake system due to overheated brake tem-
peratures.
NOTE:Extended heavy use of Traction Control may
cause the system to deactivate and turn on the Traction
Control indicator. This is to prevent overheating of the
brake system and is a normal condition. The system will
remain disabled for about 4 minutes until the brakes have
cooled. The system will automatically reactivate and turn
off the Traction Control indicator.
3. Cruise Light Ð If Equipped
This light shows that the Speed Control System is ON.
This light will also illuminate for a 5±second bulb check
when the ignition switch is first turned to the ON
position.
4. Airbag Light
The light comes on and remains on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the bulb does not
come on during starting, have the bulb replaced. If the
light stays on, or comes on while driving, have the
system checked by an authorized dealer.
5. Tachometer
The red area of the scale shows the maximum permissible
engine revolutions-per-minute (rpm x 1000) for each gear
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 87
4